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MMWR 34(20);294

Publication date: 05/24/1985

Table of Contents

Article

The U.S. Public Health Service has recommended that all donated
blood and plasma be tested for antibody to human T-lymphotropic virus
type III/lymphadenopathy-associated virus (HTLV-III/LAV), the virus
that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) (1). It is
additionally recommended that blood or serum from donors of organs,
tissues, or semen intended for human use be similarly tested and that
the test result be used to evaluate the appropriate use of such
materials from these donors. Although AIDS has not been reported to
have been associated with such use, semen and other body fluids,
including blood, may harbor the virus. Thus, organs, tissues, and
semen obtained from HTLV-III/LAV antibody-positive persons must be
considered as potentially infectious. Persons in groups having an
increased risk for AIDS should not donate organs, tissues, or semen,
regardless of the result of the antibody test; this is the same policy
currently followed for blood donations. It is recognized that the
circumstances of organ procurement and the logistics of
transplantation may in some instances not permit the use of an
HTLV-III/LAV test. However, when feasible such testing is prudent.
Reported by U.S. Food and Drug Administration; Alcohol, Drug Abuse,
and Mental Health Administration; National Institutes of Health;
Health Resources and Svcs Administration; CDC.

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